Bowl-a-thon to benefit special-ed students

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Islanders are invited out for a night of bowling fun this Friday that will help send special-education children from Tottenville High School to visit both Sea World and Disney World in Florida.

The Bowl-A-Thon Event will take place from 9:30 p.m. to midnight in Rab’s Country Lanes, 1600 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills.

The second annual fundraiser will send close to 30 children in the school’s Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs to Sea World and Disney World. The program is organized by school occupational therapist Gail Benson.

For $25, the event will provide two bowling games, shoe rental, pizza and soda. Robert Sweeney, a member of the fundraising committee and a school paraprofessional who works with students, said organizers opted to do it again this year since the kids loved it.

“They just talked about it all year,” said Sweeney of the students. He said the fundraiser is needed because the trip tends to be more expensive due to the costs of the therapy and the fact that some of the children have special needs, including the use of wheelchairs.

As part of the five-day trip, students will get to participate in marine mammal life exploration and life skills and dolphin therapy, including swimming with dolphins.

Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information or to make a donation, call the school at 718-356-2220.